IMOGEN
Rushing from the music room, I couldn’t wait to tell Jude that we could finally go on a date. When he’d told me about Attie owing him a favor and that he was cashing it in to take me out, I practically passed out from happiness. We’d called each other boyfriend/girlfriend, but so far, that hadn’t been anything different outside of kissing. Though, I didn’t mind the kissing. I liked it a lot actually, but I was really looking forward to this date. I had no idea what it entailed, but thankfully, it hadn’t been something that couldn’t be rescheduled a million times since Attie had continued to push it off.
But now it was happening.
Walking past a few other volunteers at the center, I smiled, my face feeling like it would break from happiness. The youth center was reopening in two days, so we were all putting on the last-minute touches. It had been a lot of fun and a good distraction from everything else. The best part was getting to be part of something outside of the Mascro name. I understood why Nicco had done it in the first place—it felt good to give back.
Jude was helping with the mural as I walked over, and I stood back as he and Nicco finished a section. As I watched him, I got a little lost and didn’t notice the person stepping up beside me.
“Wow, that looks really cool,” a girl said, and I looked over, realizing it was Jill.
“Yeah.” I smiled, nodding. “I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.”
“I wish I could draw. But the best I can do is stick figures.” She laughed, and I agreed with her.
“Same. I think my brother took all the art genes.”
“Oh, so Jude’s your brother?” Jill asked, a blush appearing on her cheeks.
“No, Nicco. Jude’s my… my boyfriend.” I shrugged, my cheeks beginning to redden as well.
“Noted. Stay back.” She lifted her hands, smiling, and I was glad I wouldn’t have to stop being friends with her. Jill was cool, but Jude was my person, and I would always pick him.
“Hey,” Jude said, spotting us. He walked over, and butterflies erupted in my stomach as he neared. We’d kissed a few more times since the first one, and each one felt like my heart would burst into a million pieces. His finger grazed my pinky when he neared, and I clasped it, wanting to touch him.
“Guess what?” I smiled, barely able to keep it together.
“Seriously?” he asked, his smile matching mine.
Nodding, I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed. When I pulled back, Jill was looking at us oddly.
“What’s the big secret?”
“Oh, nothing like that. We just get to have our first date tonight. My brother’s finally letting us go.”
“Wow, he sounds kind of controlling,” Jill muttered, and my defensiveness reared to life.
“It’s not like that. There have been some family concerns, and we had to wait until it settled, and now, it is.” I clasped Jude’s hand fully this time, feeling brave. “So, what’s the plan?”
He blushed adorably, making the butterflies fly around a million times faster. “It’s kind of a surprise.”
“Well, I can’t wait to hear about it. I need to head out. I have practice soon. I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Jill said, waving.
“See you tomorrow,” I responded, but barely even glanced over. The only one I was focused on now was the cute boy in front of me. “So, what time do we head out for this date? How much time do I have to change, and what should I wear?”
“You don’t have to change.”
Shaking my head quickly, I pressed a finger to his lips to stop him. “Sorry, but this is a big deal to me. I’ve never gotten to do anything a normal teenager has, so I’m going to make this one the epitome of every classic teen movie I’ve ever seen. So, yes, I need to change and make one of those staircase entrances while you stand at the bottom and look at me with goo-goo eyes. It must happen.”
Jude laughed, stepping a little closer. “Okay, Immy. Whatever you want. But you don’t need a staircase for me to look at you that way.” His eyes bore into me right there, and I knew if we weren’t in the middle of the youth center, he would’ve kissed me. Despite my earlier comment about feeling good helping others, I kind of wished we weren't.
Screw that. I wanted to be kissed!
Okay, bratty teenager moment over. I could wait for my kiss. I planned to receive a million from this boy.
“You guys ready to head to the house?” Nicco asked, breaking the moment.
“Yup, let’s go!” I pulled Jude along as we headed out toward the back parking lot. Nicco chuckled but obliged, granting him my favor.